Monday, June 29, 2009

Yikes!

header5 It hasn’t really sunk in yet that my first HALF IRON distance triathlon is THIS WEEKEND!!  I know I can swim 2000m, that I can bike 90K (56 mi) and that I can run a half marathon.  The question is really putting it all together.  And then throwing nutrition in the mix.  This week I’ll be spending some quality time thinking about what I’ll be eating for breakfast, when I’ll be eating it, what I’m going to eat on the bike, and then what I’m going to carry on the run.  And how I’m going to carry all of it.

This week is also a short one at work.  July 1st is Canada Day and I plan to celebrate in style.  Friday we have the day off for the Stampede Parade, but I’ll be dropping Finlay off at the kennel and making my way up to Edmonton in the morning.

Workout wise…nothing too exciting to report.  Sunday I ran for 45 minutes with 6 x 1 min hard, 3 min easy.  I left my run until later in the day and it was hot!  Well…hot for here, and hot for me!  The intervals were nothing to write home about, but at least the heart rate got up there.  After that I was in the pool looking for a little 2000m redemption.  I hit my first 500m interval over a minute fast than last week’s, and my second 500m came in within 3 seconds of the first.  Unfortunately I was fighting a splitting headache and after 1200m I had to call it a day.  Today I worked hard on my taper by relaxing on the couch watching The Bachelorette and Merlin.  Gotta enjoy this laid back nights when I can!

26 comments:

Molly said...

Exciting!!!! You are going to totally rock it, you've had so many good workouts and shorter races lately. I can't wait to read your race report :)

ShirleyPerly said...

Wow, time sure does fly. But I think you are more than ready for it. You've done a heck a lot more "real" training than I did for my first half iron. I was still learning how to swim ...

Good luck and look forward to hearing about it!

Melanie Tait said...

Wow Leana - that is so exciting. You've done the work, I'm sure you'll be amazing :)

Missy said...

Enjoy the taper and the answer is YES, you can do all three in a row at those distances. Just save a little bit for the run and don't totally trash your legs on the bike. Pick a gear that is comfortable and go one easier! Can't wait!

Lily on the Road said...

Don't party too hearty on Wednesday, you don't want it to catch up with you on your run on Sunday!! (don't I sound like an old fart?)

Have a great week and a fun time at GWN.

Mel-2nd Chances said...

hope you didn't cave on the ice cream... lol. Can't wait to hear about your half Iron... amazing! I"m sure all your hard work and training will pay off. You're such an inspiration.

Marlene said...

I can't believe it's coming up already!! You have been training really hard and I know you're going to have a strong race. GOod luck with all the last minute preparation and rest/fuel up!

*krystyn* said...

Wow!! Good luck to you this weekend!!

Bill said...

You're going to do great!!!

Wes said...

You are going to do awesome. Elizabeth is a big fan of writing down your race day plan, from the moment you wake up until you cross the finish line, including everything you put in your mouth. It helps you think things through AND gives you something to keep ya busy ;-)

I, too, cannot wait!!!

Marni Sumbal, MS, RD said...

Enjoy the taper.
Here's a video I did on pre-race nutrition

http://beginnertriathlete.com/cms/article-detail.asp?articleid=1587

Hope it will help you prepare for your race. Don't overdo it on calories on the morning of the race and give yourself around 2-3 hours to digest 250-350 calories (add a little protein and fat to your complex carbs for your pre-race meal). Nothing solid after your morning breakfast. Take in a gel w/ maltodextrin (like hammer) 15-20 min. before the race start. Sip on water after breakfast and before the start and if you want a sport drink pre-race, choose Hammer HEED or another product with maltodextrin and not fructose/glucose.
During the race, don't overdo it on calories. Use what you have practiced with and think liquids! Get your calories from a sport drink (again maltodextrin) and I recommend no more than 240-260 calories per hour. 20-24 ounces of fluid with 180-240 calories every hour. Gel after 90 min. on the bike and every 45 min. thereafter.
On the run, rely on sport drinks and cool with water. Gels every 4-5 miles.
Let me know if you have any more questions. Hope this helps.

NJ said...

WOW! Good luck this weekend! Be confident and go into it knowing the pieces of the puzzle will fit. Confidence is key! Can't wait to hear the race report and how well it all went!

kristen said...

Wow- that does seem like it is coming up quickly. Hopefully the temperatures are cool and perhaps there will even be a little cloud cover to prevent the sun from zapping your energy.

Good luck with the nutrition plan!

Meg said...

Go Leana, Go Leana, Go Go, Go Leana!

Lauren said...

You'll do great. You've been rocking everything so far.

PS. Canada day? Y'all are so cute.

teacherwoman said...

yes, time is flying by for sure! You are so ready for this, Leana!

Charisa said...

YEAH and good luck!!! You will do awesome - have a blast, it will go by so quickly :)

Aron said...

YAY that is soooo exciting!! you are going to do awesome!

Rainmaker said...

Happy Canada Day tomorrow, and good luck this weekend - you're soooo ready to rock it!

Marci said...

Wow, I can't wait to read all about it. You have trained so hard, I am sure you will do amazing! Have a great race, and I hope you rock it, you are an inspiration to me!

Julie said...

We HAVE to meet at GWN!!! We both know enough people that our paths should intersect somehow....:) :)

Good luck in your preparations for your race! :) :) :)

Lindsay said...

happy canada day! hope your week is going well in prep for the big race!! :)

Bob Almighty said...

Good luck this weekend.
Remember to relax and enjoy it.

Also flat Coke on the run...sounds unhealthy and barbaric but it works ;)

Jenna said...

I will be there cheering so if someone u do not knows cheers for u, that's me:)

joyRuN said...

You are SO GOING TO KICK @$$!!!!

Enjoy the rest & good luck :)

(PS - dang, I can't even swim 2000m on its own. I guess technically I could try, & just set aside a solid 6 hours for it.)

Badgergirl said...

Good luck this weekend! You'll rock it!